Barbara J. Couch

Barbara has been with Hypertherm, Inc. for 28 years, responsible for developing the nationally award- winning programs that focus on the development and well-being of Hypertherm's associates, an integral piece of the company's mission statement. Recognized as one of the best places to work in the United States and in NH, the company's awards include being listed #12 on the Fortune Magazine list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States and Business NH Magazine’s Top 10 Best Companies to Work For in NH. She served as Vice President, Human Resources until 2009 and then led the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, serving as VP, CSR and serving as Founder and President of the company’s HOPE Foundation. Hypertherm has been recognized nationally and in NH for its CSR programs. Barbara also serves on Hypertherm’s Board of Directors and chairs its CSR Committee.

Barbara served on the NH Public Radio Board until 2014 where she held several leadership positions, including Chair of the Board and Co-chair of the Capital Campaign. In addition to serving as the Secretary on the Boards of Trustees of Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, she is a member of the Board of Overseers for the Geisel School of Medicine and the Board of Overseers for the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College. She also serves on the Board of the NH Business Committee for the Arts. Barbara holds an appointed position to the NH Governor’s Advanced Manufacturing Education Council and was also appointed to the Governor’s STEM Task Force in 2014. Most recently in 2014, Barbara was the recipient of the NH Walter Peterson Award for service to education.

Barbara graduated from Bradley University with a BA in Sociology and Psychology and she received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University.

Barbara and her husband, Richard, live in Hanover and have three grown daughters. Her greatest passion is time spent with her three young grandchildren.